Arthur Frederick Pickard

Lieutenant, Royal Regiment of Artillery

VC
Register No.
987 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Lieutenant (register: Ensign) all Lieutenants →
Unit
Royal Regiment of Artillery (register: Royal Artillery) all Royal Artillery VCs →
Date of action
20 November 1863 on this day → all of 1863 →
Conflict / campaign
New Zealand Wars
London Gazette
the 22nd September, 1864 on this day → all of 1864 →
Born
the 4th April 1841 at Forest Hill, Northamptonshire
Memorial / grave
not known:

Digest of citation

During an assault on the enemy's position at Rangiriri, New Zealand, on 20th November 1863, Lieutenant Pickard, along with the Assistant Surgeon William Temple, showed gallant conduct in exposing their lives to imminent danger, in order to render assistance to the wounded, and especially to Captain Mercer, who later died, of the Royal Artillery. At a point in the crossing of the entrance to the Maori Keep, where the enemy were concentrating their fire, Lieutenant Pickard, crossed and recrossed the parapet to obtain water for the wounded, when none of the other men could be prevailed upon to perform the service. The coolness displayed by him as he traversed, exposed to heavy cross-fire was exemplary. Both Lieutenant Pickard and Assistant Surgeon Temple, under extremely trying circumstances to which they were exposed, showed great calmness throughout

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

PICKARD, Arthur Frederick. (reg No. 987).

Lieutenant. Royal Regiment of Artillery.

London Gazetted on the 22nd September, 1864.

Born on the 4th April 1841 at Forest Hill, Northamptonshire.

Died of consumption, aged 39 years, on 1st March 1880 at Cannes, France.

Memorial not known:

Digest of Citation reads: During an assault on the enemy's position at Rangiriri, New Zealand, on 20th November 1863, Lieutenant Pickard, along with the Assistant Surgeon William Temple, showed gallant conduct in exposing their lives to imminent danger, in order to render assistance to the wounded, and especially to Captain Mercer, who later died, of the Royal Artillery. At a point in the crossing of the entrance to the Maori Keep, where the enemy were concentrating their fire, Lieutenant Pickard, crossed and recrossed the parapet to obtain water for the wounded, when none of the other men could be prevailed upon to perform the service. The coolness displayed by him as he traversed, exposed to heavy cross-fire was exemplary. Both Lieutenant Pickard and Assistant Surgeon Temple, under extremely trying circumstances to which they were exposed, showed great calmness throughout.

Additional information:. Colonel Pickard was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He was Equerry to the Duke of Connaught and later made Equerry to her Majesty Queen Victoria. Assistant Surgeon William Temple (reg No. 1206), was also awarded the Victoria Cross.

Additional information

Colonel Pickard was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). He was Equerry to the Duke of Connaught and later made Equerry to her Majesty Queen Victoria. Assistant Surgeon William Temple (reg No. 1206), was also awarded the Victoria Cross.

Died of consumption, aged 39 years, on 1st March 1880 at Cannes,
France.

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Alf recorded the memorial as: not known:

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